Radhuspladsen 1
Tel. 33 66 25 82
Subway: Central Station
Bus: 2A, 5A, 6A, 10, 12, 14, 26, 29, 33, 67, 68, 69, 173E, 250S
Tower: Open: 11am & 2pm Mon- Fri, noon Sat
World Clock:
Open: 8:30am- 4:30pm Mon- Fri, 10am- 1pm Sat
Official site
Copenhagen City Hall (Københavns Rådhus) is the current seat of the Copenhagen City Council and the Lord Mayor. It stands as one of the city's most iconic landmarks on City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen) in central Copenhagen. It is the sixth city hall in the city's history and a masterpiece of National Romantic architecture.
Early City Halls (Medieval to 19th Century)
Copenhagen has had
multiple city halls over the centuries, mostly clustered around the
historic core near Gammeltorv and Nytorv, about 500 meters northeast of
the current building.
First (Medieval): Located at Gammeltorv,
Copenhagen's oldest square and medieval market center. Details are
scarce regarding its exact appearance, location, or construction date.
Second (Late 14th Century): Built at the corner of Nørregade and
Studiestræde, opposite the Church of Our Lady. It later served as a
bishop's palace.
Third (c. 1479–1728): Also at Gammeltorv. It burned
in the great Copenhagen fire of 1728. King Christian IV rebuilt it in
1608–1610 as a small Renaissance structure with curved gables and a
slender octagonal stair tower.
Fourth (1728–1795): Constructed on the
same site in Baroque style by architects J.C. Ernst and J.C. Krieger. It
too was destroyed in the 1795 Copenhagen fire.
Fifth (1815–late 19th
century): Designed by prominent Neoclassical architect Christian
Frederik Hansen. Built on Nytorv after delays from material shortages
and the English Wars (Napoleonic Wars involvement). It housed both city
hall and courthouse functions. This building still stands today as the
Copenhagen Court House.
By the late 19th century, Copenhagen's
population had tripled due to industrialization and urbanization. The
old Nytorv building was no longer adequate for the growing municipal
administration.
The Current City Hall: Planning and Construction
(1892–1905)
In the 1890s, authorities decided to build a new, larger,
and more representative city hall on a new site. The chosen location was
on the former West Gate (Vesterport) area, near the old Lucie Mill and
other structures, which opened up space in the expanding city center.
An architectural competition was held, and Danish architect Martin Nyrop
(1849–1921) won the commission. Construction began in 1892 (or 1893
according to some sources) under supervisor Vilhelm Fischer. The
building was inaugurated on 12 September 1905 after more than a decade
of work.
Martin Nyrop drew primary inspiration from the medieval town
hall in Siena, Italy (Palazzo Pubblico), particularly its tall, slender
tower. He blended this with Nordic Romantic elements, using local
materials like red brick and granite, and incorporating intricate
decorative motifs that celebrated Danish/Nordic identity, craftsmanship,
and history. The style is classified as National Romantic (or National
Romantic Renaissance Revival), a movement popular in Scandinavia around
1890–1910 that emphasized national heritage amid rapid modernization.
Significance and Modern Use
Copenhagen City Hall symbolizes the
city's growth into a modern metropolis while honoring its historical
roots. It serves as the administrative heart of Copenhagen Municipality,
hosts council meetings, public events, and is a popular venue for civil
weddings. The tower and certain areas are open to visitors, and guided
tours are available.
It has appeared in films (e.g., The Olsen Gang
Goes to War, The Danish Girl) and was commemorated on a Danish coin. The
adjacent Rådhuspladsen is a major public square for celebrations,
concerts, and New Year's Eve gatherings.
Architect and Historical Context
Architect Martin Nyrop
(1849–1921) designed it after winning a competition. Nyrop drew primary
inspiration from the medieval Palazzo Pubblico in Siena, Italy,
particularly its tall, slender tower, while incorporating Nordic
materials, motifs, and democratic ideals.
Construction ran from 1892
to 1905 on the site of the former city ramparts near what is now
Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square). It replaced earlier, smaller city
halls, reflecting Copenhagen’s rapid 19th-century growth. Nyrop
personally oversaw not just the architecture but much of the interior
design, furniture, fixtures, and even doorknobs—creating a total work of
art (Gesamtkunstwerk).
Overall Form and Layout
The building
forms a large, roughly rectangular complex with:
Two long
longitudinal wings (along Vester Voldgade and H.C. Andersens Boulevard).
Three transverse connecting buildings.
Two internal courtyards: one
smaller, glass-roofed (the covered Main Hall/atrium) and one larger,
open-air City Hall Garden.
Aside from the asymmetrically placed
tower, the building is largely symmetrical. It uses a mix of red brick
(prominent on the exterior), Norwegian marble cladding in parts,
granite, and other durable Nordic materials. The roof features copper
elements and smaller turrets.
Exterior Architecture
The façade
is richly ornamented in a way typical of National Romanticism—elaborate
but grounded in craftsmanship rather than pure opulence.
The Tower:
At 105.6 meters (about 346 ft), it is one of Copenhagen’s tallest
structures and a major landmark. Slender and elegant, it echoes Siena’s
tower but with a green copper spire. It houses a large clock and offers
public views (with tickets).
Main Façade: Dominated by intricate
brickwork, stone carvings, reliefs, and sculptures. A gilded statue of
Bishop Absalon (founder of Copenhagen, 12th century) sits above the
central balcony on horseback or standing. Other sculptures include polar
bears (symbolizing Greenland) on the roof and various allegorical or
historical figures.
Materials and Details: Red brick with light stone
trim, arched windows, decorative gables, and extensive sculptural
ornamentation. The style fuses Italian medieval/Renaissance influences
with Nordic brick Gothic and folk elements.
Interior Highlights
The interiors are exceptionally detailed, with murals, wood carvings,
mosaics, stained glass, and custom furniture by Nyrop and collaborators
(including Thorvald Bindesbøll). Every surface—from stair railings to
ceilings—features craftsmanship celebrating Danish history, mythology,
and civic life.
Main Hall / Atrium: A grand, light-filled
courtyard space with a glass roof, multi-level arcades, columns, and
balconies. It features inscriptions, flags, and a sense of openness
suitable for events. The floor has patterned tiles.
City Council
Chamber (Borgersalen): Ornate with tall decorated walls, a soaring glass
ceiling, stained-glass windows, and symbolic motifs (including Yggdrasil
from Norse mythology). It seats the city council.
Wedding Hall /
Ceremonial Rooms: Famous for vibrant murals, such as large frescoes
depicting folk tales, trees of life, historical scenes, and poetic texts
in Art Nouveau-style lettering. These rooms are popular for civil
weddings.
Other Features:
Jens Olsen’s World Clock (installed
later, a complex astronomical timepiece).
Extensive friezes and
frescoes narrating Copenhagen’s history.
Staircases, corridors, and
halls with carved wood, mosaics, and symbolic decorations.
Style
and Significance
National Romanticism here emphasizes:
National
identity — through Danish materials, history, and mythology.
Craftsmanship — handwork over industrial repetition.
Democracy and
civic pride — a monumental yet welcoming public building.
It
bridges historicism and emerging modern movements while remaining
distinctly Danish. The building remains in active use as the seat of the
Copenhagen City Council and mayor, while also serving as a tourist
attraction and event venue.